Artificial limb



Aug. 23, 1938. N, MALLoY-BREHUNOFF 2,127,566

' ARTIFICIAL LIMB Filled March 22, 1955 2 sheets-sheet 1 .'j f F BY I l MWRNELS 5737484 e4. MM; f

Aug. 23,193.8. N. MALLoY-BREHUNOFF 2,127,556

ARTIFICIAL LIMB Filed MICh 2.2,v 1935 2 Sheets-Sheei 2 M ATTQRNEYS.

Patented Aug. 23,

UNITED- vs'|;\."rl-.=:s PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in artificial limbs and has for an object to providean artificial limb including certain adjustable connections whereby the limb may lbe adjusted to give the greatest comfort to the It is also an object to provide an artiiicial limb that willpermit walking and using of the limb to better eifect than such limbs now available.

`'I'he-v invention also includes improvements in the harness for attaching or securing an artificial limb to a-wearer, improved connections at the knee joints of `artiiicial limbs, and improved foot and calf connections for artificial limbs.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the following detailed description takenl in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein satisfactory embodiments'of the invention are shown. However,

it will be understood that the invention is not,

limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modiilcations as fall within the spirit of the invention and the `scope of the appended claims.- A

In the drawings: g

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an artiiicial limb adapted to be used when 4the wearers leg vhas been amputated above the knee joint, parts being broken away in the view to show features of construction; 1

, Fig. 2 is aside elevational-view of the limb of Fig. 1 with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view showing the construction at the knee jointand particularly showing a locking means employed;

Fig. 3a is a detail side view of a catch for rendering the lock ineffective;

Flg.`3b isa top plan view thereof Fig. 4 is a top plan view ofthe foot of Figs. 1 and 2; y

Fig. 5 is a front. elevational view showing the harness vemployed for securing either the limb of Figs.'1 and 2 to the wearer; and

Fig. 6 is a rear elevational view showing the harness in use: 1 l

Referring in detail to the drawings, and. at-first particularly to Figs. 1 through 4, the artificial limb of such iigures as yshown includes a thigh4 portion I0, a calf |I,and'afootv I2. This-limb is for use where theleg of the wearer hasbeen amputated above, the kneef'joint and the thigh I0 is a socket-like construction including a metal shell I 3, a felt pad I4 against the inner side of said shell vand a leather innerv lining I5. Joint holders andladjustment plates I6 are riveted to f to the wearer, and also'the lower part of the leg vided with a set of vertically lspaced tapped openings |8 and toward its lowerend each plate is provided witvh a tapped opening I9'.l

The knee joint between the thigh It and cap is generally designated 20 and includes upper parts 2| and lower parts 22.` At theirl upper ends the parts 2| are provided with headg-like enlargements 23 whereby the parts are somewhat 'I'.- shaped and such head-like portions are each provided with a series of horizontally spaced openings 24. In spaced relation to the heads 23 the parts 2| are each provided with a series of verticallyspaced openings` or perforations 25. Bolts 26 and A2`| are passed through selected ones of the upper and lower sets of openings 24 and 25 respectively to secure the upper knee joint parts 2 vto the 'mountingand adjustment plates I6 and through such plates to the thigh I0. 'I'he bolt 26 is passed through a selected one oi' the openings 24 in the part 2| and is threaded into the selected opening I8 in the plate Ii.

When the bolt 20 is in position it determines which of the'openings 28 in the part 2| the bolt 21 is to be passed through in order to thread into the opening Il of the plate Il. lThe bolt 2'| may beilrst screwed into place after which the thigh may be adjusted and then the bolt 26 screwed into place. By the dotted line positions of the thighv Il in Flg.'2 it is .shown that the thigh may have various positions of adjustment 'relative to` the upper parts 2| of the knee'joint. The thigh may be adjusted vertically-and it may also be tilted more or less so as to be given that relation to the calf wearer.

The lower kneel joint parts 22 are disposed against the inner surfaces of the'cali' at diametrically opposite sides thereof and are secured in place by screws 2l. Such parts extend above the upper end of the calf and their upper end I |v which is most comfortable to the portions 2l are bifurcated. The upper parts 2| oi' the knee joint extend below the lower end 45 of the thigh I0 and are received in the bifurcated portions 28 of the part 22 and such parts 2| and 22 are.hingedly connected by pin bushings 20 into which are threaded the securing screw 2|.

' With the described construction it will be apparent that the thigh I! and calf are hingedly connected and that the thigh may be adjusted relative to the calf s o that the thighl will occupy that position which will give the most comfort may be swung backwardly when the wearer sits down, or at any time desired.

At the front side of the artiiicial limb the space between the lower end of the thigh I0 and the upper end'of the calf is closed by a knee cap plate 32. Screws 33 secure the upper end portion of the plate 32 against the inner surface of the lower end portion of the thigh and such plate extends for a substantial distance into the calf This knee cap plate is formed of fiexiblespring metal as for example bronze and when the articial limb is bent the lower portion of the plate slides along the inner surface of the cali and the plate bends and maintains the space between the front portions of the thigh and calf closed, iiexing and functioning in the manner of a natural knee cap. y

A locking means generally designated 34 is provided to preventfree pivotal movementlbetween the thigh i6v and the calf when the wearer is walking on the artificial limb. A substantially semi-circular member or plate'35 has its end portions secured to the upper parts 2| of the knee joint 20 as by rivets 36 and at the inner side of said plate are a pair of ears 31 secured by rivets 38 and extending inwardly and downwardly with respect to the plate. An eye bolt 39 has its head disposed between the ears 31 and a bushing 40 vpasses through thevears andeye bolt and pivotally mounts the eye bolt. 1

On the lower end of theeye bolt 39 there is threaded a push rod 4| comprising a tubular member into which the eye bolt 39 threads and in' transverse section the exterior of this push rod is non-circular preferably being square. A counter or lock nut 42 is threaded oto the eye-bolt 39.

The lower end of the push rod 4| passes through an opening in a bushing 43 which bushing is threaded into the upper end of a cylinder 44. Below the bushing 43 the push rod is provided with an enlargement or a head 45 o! such diameter as to be'incapable of passing through the opening in the bushing 43 and the opening in such bushing is shaped to conform to the exterior shape of the push rod so that thelatter has no turning movement in the bushing.

Within the'cylinder 44 and bearing at one end against the head 45 of the push rod is a spring 46 constantly exerting an effort against the lower end of the push rod. Obviously, the push rod may be adjusted on the eyebolt 39. and the bushing 43, owing to its threaded connection to its cylinder 44, is adapted to adjust the tension of the spring 46 since the bushing may be threaded more or less into the cylinder as desired by turning of rod 4| by a suitable wrench, and it may then be locked by nut 42. A small bracket 41 is secured against theinner surface of the rear wall of the calf Il as by screws 48. When the artiflcial limb is being used the lower end of the cyl.- inder 44 bears against the horizontal arm of the bracket 41 as shown in Figs. l and 2 and the spring 46 provides the necessary cushion between the cali and thigh and produces the oscillation of the thigh.

About the lower end portion of the cylinder 44 is an unlocking or releasing ring 49 prevented from sliding oi the cylinder by a protecting or stop ring 50. Connected with the unlocking ring;

49 is a cord 5| adapted to be pulled or drawn to move the lower end of the cylinder 44 oil the bracket 41 so that the articial limb may pivot at the. knee joint when the wearer is sitting. It may also be released by pressing inwardly with a iinger of the wearers hand against the back-0f member 44. y At such times the cylinder will be positioned as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 2. To again straighten the leg the wearer may shake or snap it to have the calf I assume a straight position with respect to the thigh Il), and when this is done the lower endof the cylinder is moved backq onto the horizontal arm of the bracket 41 by means of a spring 52 which normally acts to maintain the cylinder in the last described position.

Spring 52 as shown is formed from a single length of wire bent intermediate its ends to provide a pair of armsand a connecting portion 53 and the spring is arranged with this connecting portion bearing against the forward lside of the cylinder 44. Intermediate their ends the arms of the spring are bent to provide coils 54 passed over the extending ends of the bushing 40 and then'the free ends 55 of the varms of the spring bear against the ears 31. A bolt having a relatively large head 56 is passed through the bushing 4|) and a relatively large nut 51 is threaded onto the bolt and the head 56 and nut 51 provide means to prevent the coils 54 of the spring from moving off the ends of the bushing. With this arrangement it will be apparent that the spring is' constantly tending to move the cylinder 44 in a direction to push the cylinder against the inner surface of-the rear wall of the calf I.

The pull cord 5| is carried outwardly/against thev under side of a pulley 58 mounted between a pair; of plates 59 which plates are supported by upper end of the cord 5| is secured will later be set forth.

Ifdesired a catch may be provided as shown in Figs. 3a and 3b whereby this lock may be prevented from moving to locking position. For

example, when driving a car it would be undesirable to have theleg lock in straightened position after pushing downwardly on the brake pedal as it might be necessary to unlock the -joint before the brake could be released. This latch may take various forms but as shown com. prises a catch member 41a, pivoted to the bracket l41 at 41b. A spring 41o is secured to the catch at 41d and to the shell |'I at 41e. This'jcatch may be shifted to a position vover the bracket 41a as shown in full lines when it will hold the lock 44 oii the bracket as shown so it can not lock. If the catch Ais swung to one side as indicated in dotted lines it will not prevent member 44 going over thetop of the bracket and locking as indicated above. In these movements the spring 41e passes over the pivot 41b and so holds the catch in either position. The catch may be provided with a finger piece 41j or an opening 41g which may be engaged by a finger to move it to either position.

Calf Il and foot i2 are connected by an ankle joint generally designated. 52 and which joint comprises upper parts 63 seculed against the inner sides of the lower portion of the calf Il as by rivets 64 and lower parts 65 disposed in channels 66 and secured against opposite sides of a base 61 of the foot as by bolts 68 passing transversely through such base. The lower ends of 2,127,563 the parts 63 are received in the'bifurcated upper toe 12 and beneath the base and the toe there' is arranged the shock absorbing sponge rubber pad 13.v Screws 14 are preferably used for securing the toe 12 to the base 61. At the under side of the pad 13 there is arranged a leather sole 15 and it will be understood that a regular shoe may be" worn on the foot. Preferably the foot I2 includes a leather casing or cover 16.v A

f plate or closure 11 is arranged in the 4lower end of' the calf and is preferably welded therein as at 18. Arranged lin the base 61 are a pair' of similar springsJQ and 80 and the spring 18 is arranged forwardly` of the pivot of the ankle joint while the spring 80 of said pivot.

The upper ends 'of these springs are secured to the plate 11 as at 8| and the lower end of the spring 19 is 'engaged by an adjustable screw 82- lent pairs of the openings |40 in the belt whereby the pulley |43 will be mounted to give the most convenience and comfort to the wearer. strong cord of leather or the like |45 is'passed over the pulley |43 and then down under the pulleys 85 and 66 and the ends of the cord are brought up at the front of the wearer and connected with a buckle |46 secured to the belt |34 as by a tab |41. This same arrangement is as above suggested used for securing either form of lthe artificial limb to the body of the wearer. The

elastic |4| servestokeep the cord |45 taut and to hold theV thigh portion ofthe artificial limb a1- ways against the stump of the wearers leg but permi-ts free movements of the' wearers body and leg in all directions whether he is standing is arranged rearwardly 15 are provided withopenings 84 giving access to the lower ends of the screws 82 and'88' whereby said screws may be adjusted. By adjusting said screws todecrease or increase the tension of the springs 19 and 80 the ,position of the toe ofthe foot relative to the calf may be carefully regulated. 'Ihe springs may be independently adjusted since there is a separate regulating screw for each spring.

A harness later to be described is provided for securing the artificial limb to the. wearer and the thigh portion I carries the means by which such harness connects with the limb. This means includes pulleys 85 and 86 located at the outer sides of the thigh I0 and of which one is carried by each o f the upper parts 2| of the knee joint. 'I'he pulleys are secured in place or clamped against the parts 2| by plates 81 secured to the parts by screws 88 passing through the plates and threaded into the parts 2|. Spacer bushings may be provided about the screws ii' desired and an intermediate screw 88a mounts the pulley. When the described leg is in use a strong cord of leather or the like is'passed under the pulleys 85 and 66- and attached to a harness on the wearer so as to secure the artificial leg Vonto the stump of the wearers leg.

To mount or secure inplace the artificial leg a harness such as shown in Figs. and 6 isemployed. .This harness includes a relatively wide preferably leather belt or corset |84 secured about the waist of the wearer as by a plurality of straps Yand buckles |35. Suspender means comprising straps |36 are secured'to the front portions of the beit as at |31 and at the back of the wearer the straps may be crossed as at |38 and have their ends sewed or otherwise secured to the belt as at |19. Adjacent its lower edge the belt is provided 4with spaced pairs of perforations |48.

By means of an elastic tape or strap |4| a support |42 carrying a pulley |48 is attached to the belt |34. Pairs of hooks |44 may be used 1 for attachin the ends of the elastic |4| to the belt and suc hooks are passed throughconvenorsitting.

When the leg of Figs. l and 2 is being used it is preferred that the pull cord 5| of the locking means be connected with` the .supporting buckle 46. With such an arrangement a user may by raising his shoulder exert a pull on the cord 5| so as to draw the lower end of the cylinder 44 off the bracket 41 and `thus unlock the knee joint. Attention is Idirected to the fact that the' artificial limb of the present invention is entirely free of wood, being made of metal, felt and leather. It is preferred that a light strong metal suchas an aluminum alloy be used in the construction of the metal parts.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, whatI claim is:

l. Inan artificial leg construction, a thigh section, acali' section, a knee joint connecting said sections comprising a pairof. upper parts extending at the sides of the thigh section, a pair of lower parts secured tothe calf section and pivoted to the said upper parts to permit relative pivotal movement between the thigh and calf sections during normal operation, and adjustable vjointconnecting said sections and comprising a' pair of upper parts extending at the sides of. the thigh section, each of thepartsof one oi sai`d pair having a series of horizontally spaced openings therethrough, means connecting the parts at one side of the thigh in spaced relation` to said openings, and means passing through a selected one of said openings inthe parts at each side of `lthe thigh section and securing the parts at the respective sides of the thigh together with the thigh section in the desired angular relation to the calf section. f f

3. In an artificial leg construction, a thigh sec# tion, a calf. section, a pair of plate parts secured to the sides .of said thigh section, a knee joint connecting said sections and comprising a pair s of upper parts extndingat'the sides of the thigh section, each of the I` parts of one of said pair having a series of vertically spaced openings therethrough, each of the parts of the other pair having a series of laterally spaced openings, and means passing through selected ones of. said openings in the parts at each side of the thigh section andsecuring the parts at the respective sides of the thigh section together with the thigh section in the desired position of vertical and angular adjustments relative to the calf section.

-4. In an artiilcial leg construction, a thigh sec- ,A tion, a calf section, a knee joint connecting said sections and comprising a. pair of upper parts extending at the sides oi' said thigh section, and means connecting the thigh section to said upper parts for vertical and angular adjustments relative thereto, said means comprising A members secured to the thigh section, a plurality of means connecting said members to the said upper parts at vertically spaced points and adapted to permit relative vertical adjustment between them, oneof said securing means being constructed to permit relative pivotal movement between the said members and said parts, and the others of. said connecting `means being oi a construction to permit relative lateral adjustment between the said members and said parts to adjust the thigh member about said pivots, whereby the thigh section may be secured to said upper parts in thc-desired position of vertical and angular relation to the calf section.

5. In an artificial leg construction, a thigh section, a calf section, a knee joint connecting said sections with their adjacent ends in spaced relation, a transversely curved knee cap plate secured to one of said sections and having a free end extending into the other section and slidable relative thereto at the fronts oi' said sections, and said plate comprising a flexible spring metal member adapted to iiex as the knee joint is ilexed andhaving its free end portion held against the latter section by the resiliency of the plate to close the space between the sections as the joint ilexes.

6. In an artificial leg construction, a thigh section, a calf section, a knee joint connecting said sections, a lock`comprising a means connected with one of said sections and having bearing engagement against the other thereof to limit ilexing of said knee joint, said means including relatively `movable members and resilient yieldable means normally retaining said members in a given relative positionv but to yield a limited amount under pressure, means to move said iirst means out of such bearing engagement to permit exing of the knee joint for bending of said joint when a wearer sits. anda spring to snap said rst means back into such bearing engagement on straightening of the leg.

'1. In an artificial leg construction, a thigh section, a calf section, a knee joint connecting said sections, a lock comprising a member pivoted at its upper end to said thigh section, a cylinder into which said member extends, a spring in said cylinder and resisting movement of the member into the cylinder, a bracket in. said cali section and on which the lower end of said cylinder rests when the lock is in normal position limiting ilexing of the knee joint, means to draw the cylinder oi the bracket by swinging the member about its i pivot to-permit ilexing of the knee joint when a wearer sits, and a spring to snap said cylinder back into position with its lower end bearing against said bracket on straightening of the leg.

8. In an artificial leg construction, a thigh section, a calf section, a knee joint connecting said sections, a lock comprising a means connected with one oi.' said sections and having bearing engagement against the other thereof to limit exing of said knee joint, means to move said means out of such bearing engagement vto permit greater flexing of the kn'ee joint, a spring to shift said first means back into such bearing engagement on straightening o'f the leg, and a manually shiftable catch carried. by one of said sections and movable to a position to engage the lock means when out of bearing engagement. for retaining said latter means out of such bearing engagement.

NICHOLAS MALLOY-BREHUNOFF. 

